If you fell in love with those hole-filled leaves on the popular Monstera deliciosa, but don’t have quite the space that mighty plant requires, we’ve got good news. Meet the “other” swiss cheese plant, Monstera adansonii – a smaller cousin with all the holes but less of the square footage commitment. And outside of being the littler monstera, it has some of its own special qualities too.
Tropical Origins
Like many members of the Araceae family, M. adansonii thrives in the warm climates across Central and South America and the West Indies. And like the larger M. deliciosa, this vine-like monstera is a climber and uses its aerial roots to anchor and pull itself skyward, often up the trunk of tall rainforest trees.
Swiss Cheese Foliage
Both monsteras have the common name “swiss cheese” plant because of the many holes – called fenestrations – that appear in their leaves. In M. deliciosa, some of these fenestrations reach the edge of the leaf and form splits, but in M. adansonii, all the holes are entirely within the leaf. Each plant is an individual – featuring varied combinations of hole patterns, leaf shapes, and sizes in the vining foliage. The thin leaves have a slightly puckered or rippled appearance too.
One Plant, Multiple Spaces
As an avid climber, M. adansonii loves to travel. If you give it a trellis to crawl on, it may pay you back with larger leaves to admire. But this monstera also looks great as a hanging plant with its long, slender stems dangling down from a pot or crawling along the top of a bookshelf. With some trimming, you can tame its wanderlust a bit and keep it as a fascinating desk plant too.
Easy Care
With its exotic good looks and easy-care personality, Monstera adansonii is a popular choice for both experienced collectors and beginner plant parents. A spot in bright, but indirect light is perfect. And wait until the top of the soil is dry before giving a thorough watering. Like many thin-leafed tropical plants, this monstera does appreciate a little more humidity, so it loves to spend the warm summer outdoors in the shade. Indoors, a well-lit kitchen or bathroom is just about right. Offer fertilizer through the growing season, but you can hold off on feeding once fall arrives.
A Greenhouse Celebrity
Whenever M. adansonii arrives in the Greenhouse, it creates a buzz. They don’t stick around long either, so if you love them like we do, stop by soon and grab one before they disappear again. And as always, if you have questions, just ask – we’re glad to talk monsteras with you any time.
